300 Review

Plot: King Leonidas and his Spartan army of 300 fight the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C.

Revisiting Zack Snyder’s adaptation of Frank Millers graphic novel 300 sadly left me feeling as empty as it had on its initial release. The truth is, after 50 minutes of what I can only describe as visual torture, unfortunately left me feeling there was no choice but to throw in the towel and save myself from any further mind numbing onslaught.

300 is the epitome of style over substance and offers about as much depth and characterization as the inked sketches from the graphic novel it represents. The film throws aside all the usual narrative devices like plot, empathy and characterisation for over the top, stylised, self-indulgent, CGI heavy visuals.

The cast made up by Dominic West, David Wenham, Michael Fassbender and of course Gerard Butler offer little more than running around screaming SPARTA for the films duration. This oversight of course makes it completely impossible to feel anything for the fate of the characters. However, blame cannot be shouldered by the cast for this failure as Zack Snyder’s script is so flat and dialogue so hollow that early Bruce Lee films would give its script a run for its money.

With that said there are a few dramatic well choreographed action sequences but in the end this is far from enough to lift the film from being anything more than a shallow attempt at popcorn entertainment.

300 ReviewAllan Brown

Verdict

Summary: 300 remains a film that did well on its initial release and has no doubt appealed to hordes of angry testosterone ravaged teenage boys, but anyone looking for something with a little substance should most definitely look elsewhere.

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About the Author

Allan Brown Despite my 9-5 being consumed by the daily duties of an Electrician, Movie Review World serves as a platform for me to share my thoughts, explorations and reflections on one of my biggest passions, film.